Although paralegals can play a vital role in the legal team, they also must always comply with ethical limits on their participation. I am the paralegal and what do I do in this case.
You have worked closely with her and have been able to assist her by reading documents to her, and by reminding her of matters she has been forgetting. She is now schedule to prepare the key expert witness for trial and she has forgotten all of the medical information and legal strategy to be explored in the meeting. She asks you to cover the meeting, and not mention that you are the paralegal.
a) Do you have an ethical obligation to report this matter to the managing attorney of the law firm?
b) Should you let clients know about the attorney's problem?
c) Should you do nothing and continue to help the attorney?
d) What would you do?